Category: reviews

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Book Review: Walk in Her Sandals

Walk in Her SandalsI’ve been looking forward to Walk in Her Sandals ever since I read Stephanie Landsem’s biblical fiction series The Living Water. I was so excited to tell the editor, Kelly Wahlquist, (founder of WINE: Women In the New Evangelization), a couple of months ago. In fact, I “borrowed” her advance reading copy of the book to skim through it when we were both speaking at a women’s conference.

I knew I’d love the book, and I think you will, too. It’s part fiction, part retreat, part guided meditation as some of the most gifted Catholic women writers contribute their insight and inspiration to a truly unique book.

Imagine stepping back in time to Holy Week, Easter, and Pentecost and living the experience through Landsem’s fiction, plus teachings on the feminine genius from Pat Gohn, reflections from Lisa Hendey, Teresa Tomeo, Laura Sobiech, Kitty Cleveland, and others. You’ll read and meditate on scripture, ponder questions, and have an opportunity to follow suggestions for living the walk today by actively engaging in the New Evangelization.

It’s a wonderful book to read now, but I know I’ll take it out again during Lent in preparation for Holy Week.

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Book Review: Faith Under Fire

Faith Under FireI picked up Matthew Archbold’s book, Faith Under Fire: Dramatic Stories of Christian Courage with the intention of reading about Mother Antonia Brenner, who was featured in my own book last year and continues to fascinate me. My intention with this kind of book was to read around the chapters, reading one story today, maybe another tomorrow. I thought it would be a good bedstand book.

It didn’t happen that way. As I was flipping through the pages my eye caught Lauren Hill’s name. If you don’t know who she is, get the book today and turn to chapter six. Do it.

Lauren is my hero. We both loved basketball. We both longed to play in college. She got her dream.

You might remember seeing something in the news about this courageous young woman sometime last year. She was the high school basketball player diagnosed with cancer. When her condition worsened, the head basketball coach at Mount St. Joseph’s University arranged it for Lauren to achieve her dream and play basketball in college.

I wept. Her story is remarkable — and not because she achieved her dream. What a courageous young woman, to turn the disease, and the granting of her wish, into an opportunity to raise awareness and research funds for this childhood disease.

I was drawn to the story because college basketball was once my dream. But then, I was moved by Lauren’s trust in God that her life, however short, had a purpose for education and inspiration.

This is just one of many examples of lives lived courageously for the Glory of God’s Kingdom. You can savor it, one story at a time, or you can gobble it up like I did, and read it in two or three evenings. You’ll be inspired.

 

Paperback: 176 pages
Publisher: Servant (July 29, 2016)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1632530945
ISBN-13: 978-1632530943
Product Dimensions: 5.3 x 0.6 x 8.4 inches

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Book Review: The Catholic Mom’s Prayer Companion

The Catholic Mom's Prayer Companion

I’m back again in the book review mode, and it’s a pleasure to share this one with you because, guess what? I share a few reflections  with you in this book, and I’m honored to be in the company of some stellar catechists and writers such as Danielle Bean, Donna-Marie Cooper O’Boyle, Sonja Corbitt, Elizabeth Ficocelli, Allison Gingras, Pat Gohn, Lisa Mladinich, Elizabeth Scalia, and Carolyn Woo, Mark Hart, and Jeff Young!

What a pleasure to be working with anything that Lisa Hendey and Sarah Reinhard produce…this is truly a gift for moms in any season…whether you’re dashing out the door to get the kids to school on your way to work, or staying up waiting for a teen to get home…or like me, praying for kids launched and in the world of work and new relationships. There’s something for everyone here.

I know this is going to be a part of my mornings, but it can fit anywhere in the day. The point is, as moms, we pray. We pray a lot — and this little companion has reflections to lift us up, console us, amuse us, and help us develop a habit of daily prayer. It’s like having a girl friend along to pray. Unless you’re one of the guys writing the reflection, then it’s like…no…it’s not like having your boyfriend along, but it is great to have a dad’s perspective every once in a while, too.

Order a few copies…one for yourself, and a couple to share with sisters or friends.

 

The Catholic Mom’s Prayer Companion
A Book of Daily Reflections

Edited by: Lisa M. Hendey
Edited by: Sarah A. Reinhard
Price: $16.95
Format: Paperback
Pages: 544
Trim size: 5 x 7 inches
ISBN: 978-1-59471-661-4
Imprint: Ave Maria Press
On-sale now

 

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